Chapter Text
“Oh? Well, this is certainly an interesting theory of yours, Dazai-kun.” Mori looks over at the boy sitting across a few feet away. He can’t help the amused smile on his face as he thinks over the information given to him.
Time manipulation. The idea isn’t exactly far-fetched. There are plenty of time-based abilities that Mori is aware of. They have their own in the form of Oda Sakunosuke. But this is something much greater than that. A phenomenon that the Port Mafia boss has never dealt with before. Something that seems on par with Project Arahabaki, the Seven Calamities, and likely even the Book. The worldwide scale of what Dazai is describing certainly fills him with intrigue.
“And you’re sure that this actually happened?” He continues, “If the event affected you too, then how are you so sure it even took place?”
Dazai’s eyes narrow, not appreciating being questioned. “Don’t be stupid, Mori-san. Have you not experienced déjà vu more often in the past few months for no apparent reason? Or vivid dreams of events that seem real but haven’t happened yet?”
Mori pauses for a moment. He certainly didn’t expect Dazai to mention such sensations so suddenly. He has noticed an increase in the number of times he’s experienced these phenomena. Something which, as a doctor, he took notice of. But he assumed it was an individual experience. It seems like Dazai has had these sensations himself. Interesting.
“I have,” He confirms with a hint of thought, “But is that truly the only evidence you have? You’ve made quite the claim, Dazai-kun. You’re suggesting that someone is powerful enough to reset an entire year for who knows how long. Doing so with something bigger than an ability, as you weren’t able to nullify it.”
Dazai knows his claim is an extravagant one. One that not many people would easily accept, even with all the evidence in the world. How can the human mind comprehend that the entire world has been stuck in a time loop for an unknown amount of time?
But he knows something is wrong here. And he’ll sound as crazy as he needs to if it means investigating the situation. He isn’t fond of the idea of letting something this powerful go without explanation. Especially if it can bypass his nullification.
The teen sighs and reaches into his pocket. He takes out a photograph and places it on Mori’s desk. The former doctor glances at the image and raises a brow. It’s of three of his members. Oda Sakunosuke, Ango Sakaguchi, and Dazai himself. They’re at a bar he recognizes as the Lupin Bar. A small business nearby. The owner allows mafia members to drink there without reporting them to authorities. It’s an average-looking photo. Nothing that looks particularly out of the ordinary.
“And what exactly am I looking at, Dazai-kun?” He looks up at Dazai with a raised brow and confused smile.
“I found this photo in my shipping container two days ago.”
Mori tilts his head, unsure of where his prodigy is heading with this little anecdote. “Okay?"
"But I don’t remember ever taking it.” He declares firmly, “We never take pictures at the bar. Turn the picture over.”
Mori’s expression sharpens. This situation is starting to become quite fascinating if he’s being honest. The idea that Dazai found a picture in his home that he doesn’t remember taking certainly adds a new layer of mystery. He reaches out and picks up the picture, flipping it over like he was told to.
The second he does, he smirks widely. Oh?
“The numbers are undeniably a date.”
Mori can’t exactly argue with that analysis of the six numbers separated by slashes. Yet the fact that it is a date only adds far more questions than it could answer. Because according to the date on the back of the photograph, the photo was taken 3 months from now. He doubts Dazai would fake this and approach him so seriously about it.
“I’m assuming you’ve been investigating this theoretical phenomenon of yours for a while?”
Dazai nods as he stands up. “I have been looking into possible candidates that could be capable of looping the time of the entire world. And I believe I may know where this person could be located.”
Mori hums, “And that would be?”
“Hidari Wakibara. There are stories of odd instances happening there. Especially in the nearby school, PK Academy.”
“PK Academy?” Mori repeats. He recognizes the name. But he never paid it much thought. However, if Dazai believes that there are possible answers to hold there, then it could be worth looking into. Especially if it could mean possibly gaining a powerful new member.
“Dazai-kun. Go get Chuuya. I have a new mission for you both.”
Saiki stares straight ahead as the morning bell rings, indicating the start of the school day. This is the first time in four years that he isn’t fully sure of how the day will play out. It’s an odd feeling. But he doesn’t pay too much thought to it, knowing that no day is ever ordinary in his life. There would be nothing entertaining if that were the case.
The teacher walks in and sets his bag down near his desk before addressing the class, “Everyone, listen up! We have two new students!”
The announcement only makes Saiki mentally sigh. Again? This is ridiculous. Just how many transfer students does their class need? Isn’t it already torturous enough with the classmates he already has?
Two students walk in after the teacher gives them the signal to do so. Mhm? Saiki stares at the two boys. A short ginger with different-colored eyes and a taller brown-haired teen with brown eyes. Something about them sets off an alarm in Saiki’s head. Ignoring his classmate’s overlapping thoughts as the two make their first impressions. He doesn’t know why, but he has a really bad feeling about this.
“My name is Nakahara Chuuya.” The ginger speaks first. His tone blunt and his expression sharp.
Shit ton of students. Dazai better not mess this up.
Mess up? Saiki repeats to himself, recognizing how odd and suspicious such a thought sounds without context. Well, that doesn’t matter to me. I would say they seem normal. But that’s never the case, is it?
“Hello, everyone!” The taller’s voice is more upbeat, yet there’s a hint of laziness in it. “My name is Dazai Osamu.”
Saiki’s eyes widen in alarm as he turns his attention to Dazai.
What?
Dazai’s entire demeanor seems so relaxed. Unbothered. Showing no real signs of being a threat. Yet, even then, Saiki's brows furrow. He brings one hand up to his mouth as he assesses the situation and attempts to make sense of his revelation.
His mind is quiet. I can hear Chuuya, but Dazai…
He looks back at the laid-back new student, watching as he waves lazily and adds a “Nice to meet you” to his introduction.
I… I can’t hear his thoughts.
He can’t help but tense as a wave of dread washes over him, as a single, terrifying possibility pops into his head.
Another Nendou??
The thought doesn’t linger. His expression immediately sharpens as his senses scream at him to examine the other closer. The heavy air around Dazai immediately debunks the idea that he is anything close to ordinary. The dark, empty eyes staring back at him seem to analyze him just as critically as he analyzes them.
Or not…
This isn’t a situation like Nendou. That much is clear to Saiki. Whoever this new kid is, it seems he’ll have to keep an eye on him.
Chuuya reaches out and grabs Dazai’s shoulder. “Let’s sit down.”
Saiki’s eyes follow Dazai as the two walk past his desk to the empty seats near the back. A slight tension in his usual flat expression.
Man. What a pain.